State Update - August 6

August 6, 2025

HEADLINES

• California Schools Impacted by Financial Protection Guidance
• Massachusetts Legislators Address Human Trafficking Awareness
• Regulatory Updates from North Dakota and West Virginia 

THIS WEEK IN THE STATES

The first full week of August finds 10 state legislatures actively meeting – including Alaska and Texas meeting in special session. Texas House Democrats left the state this past weekend to block Republicans from redrawing congressional districts to gain up to five seats. A two-thirds quorum is necessary in each legislative chamber to advance legislation. Republicans hold the majority in both the House and Senate, but Democrats have enough seats to break a quorum in either or both chambers. 



Over 8,000 registrants – including state legislators, legislative aides, and industry lobbyist – are currently in Boston for the National Conference of State Legislatures 2025 Legislative Summit. Education breakout sessions include “Higher Ed: A Value Proposition,” “What the Reconciliation Bill Means for States,” and “Preparing Students for the Workforce.”  

CALIFORNIA PROPOSES RELAXED LANGUAGE INTERPRETER RULES

The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology has proposed regulations to increase access to foreign language interpreters. The rulemaking would: (a) repeal the prohibition that an individual can act as an Interpreter only once in two (2) years, (b) specify that a person shall be allowed to act as an Interpreter only once per year, and (c) provide a definition of the meaning of “once per year,” as within the last twelve (12) months preceding the date of their signature on the interpreter application. Written comments on the proposed rule must be received by September 8, 2025. Click here for the necessary contact information.



Why this is important: According to the Board, “allowing interpreters to interpret more frequently would reduce barriers to entry and enable individuals who need an interpreter to apply for re-examination sooner.” The new “once per year” standard would help prevent fraud in the examinations process.

CALIFORNIA FINANCIAL PROTECTION GUIDANCE IMPACTS SCHOOLS WITH TUITION PAYMENT PLANS

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) issued guidance that will require many private postsecondary institutions to register with DFPI as providers of postsecondary education financing. A Duane Morris Alert on the issue says, “DFPI recently issued guidance on the postsecondary education financing section of their website, stating that tuition-only payment plans, including those that do not charge interest or finance charges, meet the definition of education financing under the [California Consumer Financial Protection Law] and require registration. Based on this, it appears that DFPI is taking the position that schools that offer payment plans to students who are California residents (including through a retail installment contract) must register with DFPI. Instructions for registering can be found on DFPI’s website. Public postsecondary and private nonprofit institutions are exempt from registration.”

Why this is important: According to Duane Morris, “institutions should consider immediately registering with DFPI to avoid substantial potential penalties and other legal liabilities.”

MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE ADVANCES HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS BILL

The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure favorably reported H4270 and H404 to the House Way and Means Committee last month. H4270 (formerly H346) would require the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering to develop and make available a sample warning sign about human trafficking for schools, shops, and mobile businesses. The sign must be at least 8½ by 11 inches and displayed in a conspicuous location visible to patrons and employees. The bill also states that “the notice text shall be provided on the sample sign in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese and any other language as recommended by the board.”

H404 would require the Board of Registration to offer all practical and written examinations in five languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Haitian Creole.

Why this is important: H4270 aims to increase human trafficking awareness and provide potential victims with contact information for the National Human Trafficking Hotline. H404 seeks to remove language barriers that might otherwise prevent qualified individuals from obtaining professional licensure.

NEW JERSEY BILL WOULD ELIMINATE PRACTICAL EXAMS

State Assemblymember Lou Greenwald (D) recently introduced a bill to eliminate practical licensure exams for cosmetologist-hairstylists, beauticians, barbers, manicurists, skin care specialists, and hair braiding specialists. Under this bill, prospective licensees will still need to pass a written examination.

Why this is important: The bill is in the earliest stage of the legislative process. Amendments are likely if the measure advances.  

REGULATORY UPDATES FROM NEVADA AND WEST VIRGINIA

North Dakota

The State Board of Cosmetology will be conducting a rulemaking hearing on August 26, 2025, in Bismark on regulations necessary to implement HB 1126, which was enacted earlier this year. The proposed regulations establish an advanced esthetician program curriculum and provide for U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships. North Dakota schools may want to comment on the following non-transferability clause – see page 69 of the PDF. 

Hours earned within a Board-recognized registered apprenticeship program are not transferable to meet North Dakota licensed school training requirements. Hours earned at a North Dakota licensed school are not transferable to meet the on the job learning or related technical instruction requirements of a Board-recognized registered apprenticeship program.

Schools may also want to address limiting the number of apprentices that can work in an "approved apprenticeship establishment" as a larger establishment/salon can have multiple apprentices and maintain the required one-to-one ratio. See pages 70 (Curriculum and Supervision) of the pdf.

West Virginia

The Mountain State’s Board of Barbers and Cosmetology has adopted amendments to school operating standard rules. Most significantly, the regulations allow theory courses to be taught fully online. The regulations state, “the Board should not limit the number of hours a student earns online outside the physical premises of a school. Provided, those hours consist of theory work only. All practical work must be completed within the physical premises of a school and under the general supervision of a certified instructor.”



Instructor regulations were revised to remove a “morality” clause and to correspond with reciprocity and continuing education requirements in state law. Additionally, the Board revised barbering apprenticeship rules to correspond to state law and to remove requirements which the Board considered to be unnecessary.

2025 STATE BILL ENACTMENTS: SOUTH DAKOTA THROUGH WYOMING

The following is a compendium of 2025 state bill enactments from South Dakota through Wyoming. Click here for a complete A to Z list of enactments. Please note that these resources may not list all enactments of interest or concern to your school or business.

South Dakota SB 1232 – Allows multiple licensed beauty professionals (cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians) to share a work station or space within a salon, subject to specific conditions. 

South Dakota SB 27 – Modifies cosmetology licensure fees.

South Dakota SB 28 – Modifies barbering licensure fees.

Tennessee HB 862/SB 939 – Requires a state study on the economic impact of cosmetology and barbering, “including revenue generated through the services provided and the number of jobs generated by the professions.”

Utah HB 278 – Establishes different levels of massage therapy professionals, including massage assistant-in-training, massage assistant, massage apprentice, and licensed massage therapist, each with specific training and supervision requirements.

Utah SB 330 – Reduces the course of instruction for cosmetology from 1,600 to 1,250 hours; reducing the course of instruction for hair design from 1,200 to 1,000 hours; increasing the course of instruction for eyelash technology from 100 to 270 hours, and; establishing the following low-hour permits – basic esthetics (200 hours), non-chemical barbering (130 hours), chemical hair services (260 hours), haircutting (150 hours), and facial hair removal (50 hours) – which are most likely non-transferable to another state. The Act also revises instructor licensure requirements and stipulates that apprentices are required to complete the same number of hours as the course of instruction as a school for each respective license or permit.

Virginia HB 1667 / SB 1228 - Allows minors 16 years of age or older to provide services in a licensed barbershop or salon if they are 1) an apprentice, 2) participating in a work-training program in accordance with relevant law, or (3) have obtained a cosmetology or barber license from the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.

Virginia HB 2669 - Amend the definition of “cosmetologist” and “cosmetology.” to prohibit straight razor shaving and certain advanced cosmetic treatments.

Virginia HB 2680 / SB 1419 – Distinguishes ear-piercing from body-piercing by definition and requires the Board to adopt training requirements.

Washington HB 1023 – Enacts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. The bill has a June 1, 2028, effective date to allow Washington State regulators to address technological issues and cost.

Washington HB 1874 - Require cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and hair designers to receive training on the care, styling, and treatment of textured hair.

Wyoming SF 113 – Deregulates hair braiding.

BILL TRACKING AND QUESTIONS

Please visit our enhanced State Legislative Tracking page to access bill text and to see what may be pending in your state(s). Please note that this resource contains bills not listed in this report that may be of interest or concern to your school or business.

Please contact StateGR@myaacs.org with comments or questions.